How Much Does a Toddler Bed Cost?

A toddler bed provides the perfect transition from a crib to a bed. Similar to a bed in which adults sleep, a toddler bed is composed of a frame, mattress, and a headboard and footboard. This type of bed is designed for children under the age of four that are too large for a crib or have begun to crawl out of the crib. These beds tend to be less expensive than full size beds and they are designed for safety since the child can easily crawl in and out of the bed. These beds will also have rails along the sides so that the child cannot roll off the bed during the night.

How much does it cost?

On average, a toddler bed without a mattress is going to cost anywhere from $50 to as much as $125.

There are different beds sold at Toysrus.com, for example. Here, the Disney Fairies Canopy toddler bed, for instance, retails for $48. For a young boy, the Disney Pixar Cars 2 3D Toddler bed retails for $56.

Target.com also sells a variety of toddler beds. The Dora the Explorer Toddler bed is sold for $48, while the Da Vinci Sleigh Toddler Bed in Espresso retails for $81.

What is going to be included?

All toddler beds available are sold in parts that need to be assembled. The package will come with an instruction manual guiding you through the steps of building the toddler bed.

Many toddler beds available today come with children’s character designs, such as Lightning McQueen, princesses, etc. There are also toddler beds made of a simple plain wood, such as cherry, espreso, etc. Some beds are also created with a metal or thick plastic frame.

Toddler beds are designed for younger children to crawl in and out of the bed and usually do not stand any more than a few inches off the ground.

Toddler beds are designed to use the same mattress that was used in the crib. This will save you from having to purchase a new mattress as well.

Most will have a weight limit of about 50 pounds. Once your child reaches this limit, you will need to get him a regular bed.

What are the extra costs?

Bed accessories such as pillows, a comforter and other bed linens may be necessary if you do not have them already. Because this is the same mattress from the crib, you may already have a mattress pad and a few sets of sheets.

Due to the weight of most toddler beds, you will probably be charged shipping fee if you purchase the bed online.

If you are not going to transfer the crib mattress to the toddler bed, you will need to purchase an additional mattress. A good, quality mattress should cost no more than $80.

A crib pad is highly recommended to prevent accidents throughout the night from ruining the mattress. These mattress pads should be liquid resistant.

Factors that influence the price:

Size. Depending on the size of the bed you want, the price can be higher or lower. While the actual mattress size will remain the same, the style of the frame may cause the bed to differ in size.

Material. A toddler bed made of a higher end wood such as cherry can often cost more than a bed with characters on it.

Tips to know:

Most parents will move their child to a toddler bed when they reach the age of two. Once they reach three and half to four, they will graduate to a smaller twin bed. However, these are just average ages and may need to be adjusted to meet the needs of your child.

If you sense that your child is going to crawl out of his crib, it is best to move him to a toddler bed immediately.

It may be hard for the child to get used to sleeping in a toddler bed. Because the child can easily get out of bed, it may take some training and patience from the parent until the child learns to stay in his bed.

If you are planning on having a second baby, make sure that you make the switch to a toddler bed at least six weeks before the baby arrives.

If you are planning on having multiple children, you should purchase a toddler bed that you know is going to last for a long time. Rather than worrying about the money, worry about the durability of the bed.

Questions to ask:

From what material is the bed made? Is it durable?

Do you have the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification?

How can I save money?

Shop around. Check out different toddler beds before making a decision. Be sure to check the safety features so to avoid an injury to the child.

Consider purchasing a bed used from a local consignment shop or even at a local garage sale. Because toddler beds are only used for a year or so, used ones are still in pretty good shape most of the time. However, it is not recommended that you purchase a used mattress.

When shopping for a crib, look for one that can be converted into a toddler bed. This will save you from buying a toddler bed entirely.